Film, "The Chance of a Lifetime"

HC Deb 06 April 1950 vol 473 c1342

24. Mr. Wyatt

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet issued a direction to the Odeon theatre circuit as to dates on which they must show the film "The Chance of a Lifetime," in London and the provinces; and what those dates are.

Mr. H. Wilson

The direction is being issued today. The film will be shown at certain leading central London cinemas in the weeks beginning 27th April and 4th June respectively, and at the other theatres of the Odeon circuit at various dates thereafter, starting in North-West London on 12th June.

Mr. Wyatt

Will my right hon. Friend say whether he could persuade the Rank Organisation to show this film a little earlier? It is getting dangerously close to the summer months. Is he aware that the objective of the Rank Organisation in showing it during the summer is to lose money on it?

Mr. Wilson

I think my hon. Friend is a little over-suspicious in this matter. The arrangements for showing the film have been worked out between the Rank Organisation and the distributors of the film, and I understand that the Rank Organisation were perfectly willing, if the distributors had so desired, that it should be shown in the autumn and not the summer.